Why you should use a Sewing Machine Needle Cushion

We spend a lot of money purchasing fabric and yet we tend to be stingy when it comes to buying sewing machine needles.  Spending $6 to $10 on a pack is nothing compared to damaging a $30 - $100 piece of fabric.  Did you know that sewing machine needles have an average life of 8 hours sewing time?

If you hear a popping sound as you sew or your bobbin thread starts nesting then I would consider changing your needle before it starts damaging your fabric.  Do not wait until your needle breaks to replace it!  I have heard sewers complain that their machine has tension issues.  I usually ask them when they changed their needle last.  Most common answer - it hasn't broken yet!  When questioning them further they mention that they have never changed it since buying their machine!

There are differnt needles for different fabric and styles of sewing.  Each needle type is built differntly.  For example, topstitch (embroidary) needles have a larger eye which prevents decorative threads such as rayon's from snapping as you sew.  Ballpoints / Jersey are designed to sew knits fabrics.  There is a lot of information on needles available at: https://www.schmetzneedles.com/all-about-needles/ and https://storage.googleapis.com/vw-superiorthreads/docs/superior-needle-graphic.pdf

It is also important to consider the quality of the needles you are buying.  Cheap is not usually best.  Some brands the needles are polished and others they are dipped in an acid.  Some look straight to the eye but infact can be slightly bent thus causing damage to your needle plate or bobbin shuttle/case.

Your machine manual will also give you recommendations on the correct needle type for your machine.  For example, some of the Singer sewing machines require needles that are slightly shorter than the generic machine needles.  Check your manual and if you are not sure, check with the supplier you purchased your machine from.

Make sure when changing your needle that you insert it as high as it can go.  Tighten the needle screw with a screw driver to ensure your needle doesn't drop out.

Now back to my post heading.  Why you should use a sewing machine needle cushion.

We have watched our mothers, grandmothers or other sewers take their needle out of their machine and place it back into the packet.  Hmmmmm - how do you know which are your new needles?

Please don't put a used needle back into the packet it came from.  Make a machine needle cushion that can sit next your machine.


I use a Clover needle cushion (top right).  Notice the seperate sections?  Its easy enough to make your own.  I have made smaller machine needle cushions for my class as gifts (left).  I have separated and labelled each section.

So how does it work?
I frequently sew with different dress fabrics and also quilt so swap my needles regularly.  I have completed machine quilting a baby quilt and now I want to start making a cotton dress.  I know that I haven't used my quilting needle for 8 hours sewing so I remove it and place it in the quilting section of my cushion.  After completing my dress, I place my needle into the 80/12 section. Before I commence a new project, I check my needle cushion for the required needle and only reach for a new one if a used one is not available.

One more thing.  I have a small glass jar (jam size) in which i put all my blunt pins & safety pins, old machine needles, blunt rotary cutting blades and any other "sharp" items I want to dispose of.  Once the jar is full, then they are disposed of or recycled (if possible).

Happy stitching.
Shirls

Recycling a Woolen Blanket

I have had a bit of fun over the last week making a cape out of an old woolen blanket.  This is a gift for a friend.

The blanket was a double size and approx 2 metres long.  It had quite a few stains so I spent a lot of time considering my pattern placements before cutting.

Once sewn I single crocheted around the edge using a 3 ply merino yarn and 2.5 crochet hook.

To give the fabric more support when opening and closing the cape using domes, I cut two small pieces of fabric, overlocked them then hand stitched them onto the inside of the left front. Then sewed on the dome backing.  See photos below.  Probably not the most tidy idea, but it should work.

For the right front I used the back of the buttons to support the front domes.

Its very comfortable to wear and can be used for going out, sitting around a campfire or slouching at home.

Now to give it a good press and gift wrap it.

Oh nearly forgot to mention.  I unpicked the blanket's label and hand stitched it into the back of the cape.

Happy Sewing
Shirls

Confidence in sewing your own garments

I learnt to sew at collage making dresses, coats, suits and when I left I sewed my own clothes for work.  In my 20's any pattern fitted  and I could whip something up overnight for a party the next day.
Life got busy, children came along and the price of ready made clothing became affordable and in some cases cheaper than buying fabric.  My shaped changed!

Working in a sewing supplies shop I have noticed the trend of older women taking up sewing again to make garments that fit them better and with fabric choices can give them their own sense of style.
If you haven't sewn clothes for yourself in ages how can you guarentee you will be happy with the final product? I found it took patience, time and help from others (or the net) to gain my sewing confidence again.

I have watched several project runways and picked up several interesting tips.  Probably the most important one is to make a sample or practise piece.  This has saved me lots of $$$.

Next month my daugher is getting married.  It will be a relaxed casual affair.  So with the encouragement of Jo Morris (my boss) we set of to buy fabric.  Jo directed me to silk.  I was a little apprehensive as I have only used silk in my quilts and never actually worn it.

I chose this geometric silk fabric from The Fabric Store in Wellington and along with my Style Arc pattern, thought I could whip this dress up in a weekend.   Gemma (my work collegue) advised me to make a sample to test the pattern first.  Oh my gosh - that was so important.  With Gemms's guidance, we had to redesign the bodice to suit my body shape.  The darts were not in the right place so the bodice was remade using princess lines which has a more flattering fit.
Gemma also pointed out the importance of  laying out my pattern to work with the geometric lines so they flowed in the same direction.

The dress will now hang for a week before it is hemmed.  Yay its nearly done.  I am pleased with it and have learnt so much.  I have now unpicked my practise piece made from rayon (similar weight to silk) and will remake it with Princess lines.  This should reinforce the things I have learnt.

So don't be afraid to give it a go.  There are a lot of resourses available to us now than 30 years ago and I am sure you can find someone that can help guide you.

Happy sewing.
Shirls